Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

The Ringer Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 3, 2014

In the mid-2000s, Hollywood picked up on the monster success of “Jackass,” trying to turn its bruised and battered lead, Johnny Knoxville, into the next big thing. He was offered prominent supporting parts and a few leads, and audiences responded to this development by largely refusing to buy tickets. Perhaps the most potentially disastrous project to emerge during this dark period was 2005’s “The Ringer,” a film that attempted to poke good-natured fun at the Special Olympics, shepherded by the Farrelly Brothers. Pre-release press wasn’t favorable and audiences were clearly uncomfortable with the idea, yet, in the midst of all the suspicion, “The Ringer” proved itself to a refreshingly mild comedy that made good use of whatever Knoxville actually does in front of a camera (“acting” just isn’t the right description). It takes some serious unclenching to get used to the plot of the movie, but once comfort is established, it’s clear that director Barry W. Blaustein (“Beyond the Mat”) and screenwriter Ricky Blitt aren’t out to offend with this effort, working to celebrate Special Olympics participants with a liberal helping of silliness. “The Ringer” isn’t a classic comedy by any means, but that it’s approachable at all is an achievement.

A pushover working up the nerve to ask for a promotion at work, Steve (Johnny Knoxville) is tested by his boss, asked to fire cheery, widowed janitor, Stavi (Luis Avalos). Unable to carry out such a horrific task, Steve hires Stavi for lawn care needs, with the undocumented worker cutting off his own fingers in an accident. Unable to pay the medical bills, Steve goes to his uncle, Gary (Brian Cox), for help. A degenerate gambler with his own money issues, Gary hashes out a plan to put his nephew in the Special Olympics, figuring he’ll handily beat the competition, including the event superstar, Jimmy (Leonard Flowers). Reluctantly agreeing to the plan, Steve becomes Jeffy Dahmor, a mentally challenged young man unable to socialize with his fellow athletes, finding help from handler Lynn (Katherine Heigl). Eventually winning over roommate Billy (Edward Barbanell), and friends such as Glen (Jed Rees), Winston (Geoffrey Arend), and Thomas (Bill Chott), Steve finds his prejudices melting away, realizing he’s in for a rough ride as the competition proves to be quite formidable.

Nobody seems more aware of the potential toxicity of “The Ringer” than the film’s producers. Already an uphill battle to make a movie that features the Special Olympics, the material wants to use the sporting event as a background for comedic antics, including Steve’s ongoing fraud as he poses as a mentally challenged man to win a bet. It’s a tonal tightrope walk in gale force winds, yet Blitt (a veteran of “Family Guy”) manages to shape something here that permits the production an opportunity to have fun without making fun. The Farrellys have negotiated this line of good taste before, surprisingly sensitive to those with special needs, and that air of respect is retained in “The Ringer,” with Knoxville playing against a handful of intellectually disabled actors, most gifted the best lines of the picture.

“The Ringer” isn’t going to be mistaken as quality entertainment, but for a modest farce, it gets the job done. Blitt employs exaggeration to emphasize the absurdity in play here, with Uncle Gary a particular menace, insensitive and bullying, trying to manipulate Steve into a ludicrous plan while displaying his own ignorance around event staff. Instead of transforming the character into a ghoul, the script keeps Gary a cigar-chomping boob, helping to enlighten Steve as he begins to develop friendships with the athletes. Steve’s gang of pals are also imagined broadly, each retaining their obsessions (including Billy’s love for the band The Kids of Widney High, who pop in for a few performances) and suspicions about the new guy, with Rees absolutely hilarious as Glen, who happens to be the first to catch the inconsistencies in Steve’s Jeffy performance. The supporting cast is alert and eager to please, providing some life to “The Ringer” beyond the central fix scenario and Steve’s discomfort with his actions, alleviating Knoxville’s need to carry the picture, with much of his acting devoted to puzzled looks and the Jeffy routine.

The conflict between the athletes and Jimmy is durable enough to carry the film through three acts, finding Steve’s hoax eventually supported by his friends, who would love to bring down the arrogant champion of the games. However, the production isn’t up to that type of intense focus, bringing in Lynn to act as a love interest for Steve, who can’t break out of his Jeffy routine and share his feelings for the woman. Heigl brings warmth to the movie, and Lynn’s struggles with her cheating boyfriend (disrespect only Steve-as-Jeffy witnesses at first) are amusing, but it’s all so one-dimensional and formulaic. The subplot between Lynn and Steve comes across as panic from a studio that didn’t want “The Ringer” to solely be about a potentially distasteful con job.

The Ringer Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation looks on the older side, with some mild filtering flattening the image, giving it a slightly video-like presence. Filmic textures are missing, but fine detail remains intact, with crowds easily surveyed and facial responses preserved. Colors are generally responsive, with reds looking a little too hot at times, while skintones look natural. Blacks display only the rare moment of solidification, with most distances and dense costuming maintaining delineation.

The Ringer Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a relatively straightforward, uneventful listening experience. Surrounds are explored with soundtrack selections, which offer a more circular environment, while sound effects such as rainfall add some dimensionality to the track. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, without shrillness. Scoring is cooperative, delivering support to sporting scenes and emotional beats with distinct instrumentation. Low-end is only moderately present, with much of the movie refusing bass-driven passages.

The Ringer Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary with director Barry W. Blaustein, writer Ricky Blitt, producer Bobby Farrelly, and actors Johnny Knoxville, Ed Barbanell, and John Taylor is included.

• Deleted Scenes (19:00, SD) appear to be sourced from a VHS workprint, looking very rough. They focus on minor character beats, offering more time with Gary in his favorite bar, a debate over the use of a handicapped parking spot, additional shenanigans in the dorm, two exchanges between Winston and a woman he meets at a movie theater, and the long version of Lynn's botched joke.

• Making Of (7:07, SD) is brief but informative, detailing how "The Ringer" was made with the cooperation of the Special Olympics, and the production's desire to remain tasteful and supportive, spotlighting cast members with intellectual disabilities.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:05, SD) is included.

The Ringer Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The feature showcases a shower room dance party, a dorm-wide water fight, and climactic sporting events, with the bond strengthening between Steve and his fellow athletes. The script makes time to identify Steve's changing attitude, his objection when Gary uses slurs to describe his pals, permitting the picture to share a little enlightenment as it goes about its tomfoolery. "The Ringer" doesn't offer depth, Knoxville can't act, and there really isn't an ending to the story -- the film just stops. It's a little slapdash at times, overcautious too, but there's charm in the most unlikely of places, along with decent laughs. Avoiding disaster appears to be the top priority for Blaustein, and he's achieved his goal. Perhaps "The Ringer" isn't enduring work, but it finds a startlingly amiable tone and few admirable messages to share.